The Antarctica Diaries

[glenc]

"Our scientific mission is to place a 0.6 metre aperture terahertz telescope at one of the most remote places on Earth: a place called Ridge A (http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/An/Antarctica/Antarctica/RidgeA.htm), some 850km from the South Pole itself, and at an elevation of 4,050 metres.
No-one has ever been to Ridge A. And no one will stay there to look after our telescope after we leave. It has to be able to operate for a year without anyone on site."

Michael Ashley Professor of Astrophysics at University of New South Wales (http://theconversation.edu.au/institutions/university-of-new-south-wales)
http://theconversation.edu.au/the-antarctica-diaries-week-one-4843

[supernova1965]

Really look foward to following this adventure WOW sounds great:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Glen,

Thanks for the link to the great blog.

So far the lowest meteorological temperature ever recorded was -89.2C in July 1983
at the Russian station Vostock in Antarctica, but Ridge A is another 570m higher
in elevation, hence the anticipation that either Ridge A or Dome A, one day,
might break the record. Cold comfort indeed for anyone going there.

[renormalised]

What a mob of wusses:):):P:P

Build a decent hut with central heating and stop complaining!!!!:):P:P:P

[glenc]

The eventual coldest place on Earth is located on one of the highest places of Antarctica - on Dome A (Dome Argus). Thus far the lowest measured temperature reached here -82.5°C (July 2005) but scientists consider that it might fall even as low as -102°C.

[glenc]

This is an interesting article.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/news/in-mawsons-footsteps/

[Jeffkop]

Thanks Glen ... REALLY interesting blog that ... great thread.

[TrevorW]

What an adventure, nice read

[Ric]

Great link and a great read Glen. :thumbsup:

I had a good laugh at the fact they play "The Thing" after the last plane leaves in February.

Now that's a good sense of humour. :rofl::rofl:

[glenc]

It is all happening in Antartica.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-09/russia-drills-to-ancient-antarctic-lake/3820606
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/its-like-exploring-another-planet-russians-reach-antarctic-lake-in-scientific-coup-20120209-1rkc2.html

[Ric]

That's a great article Glen

Thanks for the link

[glenc]

Glad you guys enjoyed it.

[Kevnool]

Great reading Glen I liked it.
Cheers

[glenc]

http://theconversation.edu.au/the-antarctica-diaries-week-six-5346

[glenc]

http://theconversation.edu.au/the-antarctica-diaries-the-final-instalment-5491

"The extreme cold also had some interesting consequences at meal breaks. The piping-hot, hearty soups that our mountaineer guide Loomy made for dinner would begin to freeze rapidly from the outside in. The centre would remain warm (for at least a few minutes), while ice would start forming on the periphery. The metal spoon would be warm where it touched the soup, but the handle acted as such an efficient heatsink that the team’s fingers were in danger of frostbite...

If the engines stop and the batteries cool below -25ºC, we won’t be able to restart the engines until October. With winter temperatures hitting -75ºC, we require careful thermal management...

In a month or so you should be able to google “PLATO-R” and see our new website with the latest data and photos from the new observatory."

[multiweb]

Great links Glen. Lots of interesting stories and facts. :thumbsup: